An air quality advisory has been issued by Alberta Health Services for the Calgary zone due to forest fire smoke making its way into the city.

Individuals with respiratory conditions, such as COPD and asthma, and people with existing cardiovascular conditions, such as angina, previous heart attack and congestive heart failure, may notice a worsening of symptoms due to the current air conditions.

Dr. Jason Cabaj, the Medical Officer of Health with the AHS Calgary Zone says that the high level of smoke can result in a high health risk, especially with those who have pre-existing conditions. "It's particularly important for those people to monitor themselves closely and follow any advice from their health care provider about managing their symptoms if they do worsen over the next few days."

AHS says children and the elderly are also at higher risk of smoke related illness and point out that even healthy people may experience temporary irritation of eyes and throat and possible shortness of breath.

To help reduce exposure to the current air conditions AHS recommends:

  • Reduce presence of smoke in indoor environments:
    • Close and lock all outside windows and doors, including attached garage doors.
    • Turn down furnace thermostats and furnace fans to the minimum setting. Do not attempt to extinguish pilot light.
    • If you have an air-conditioner, keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside.
    • Avoid running fans, such as “whole-house fans” or “fresh air ventilation systems”, that bring more smoky outdoor air inside.
    • Switch all floor registers to closed position.
    • Close fire place dampers on wood burning fireplaces.
    • Do not use wood burning fireplace, wood stoves or other smoke-producing appliances or features, including candles.
  • If you must drive to another location, keep windows and vents closed. Run car fans on recirculate mode to avoid drawing in outdoor air.
  • Reduce levels of physical activity, as necessary, to decrease the inhalation of airborne pollutants.

AHS is also reminding people to not to use backyard fire pits or fire boxes in parks when the air quality risk is high or very high.

Individuals experiencing symptoms can also call Health Link at 811 to speak to a registered nurse.

The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

"It's hard to predict how the current situation will evolve," said Cabaj. "The forecasts do indicate for the next few days that the air quality is going to be low or very low in the Calgary area."

He says that there have been no reports of illnesses from the adverse conditions, but they are monitoring that closely.

For the current air quality information CLICK HERE:

Air quality information is also available by phone, toll-free, at 1-877-247-7333.